Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has stayed the execution of Asia Bibia, a Christian woman facing capital punishment on charges of blasphemy. Bibi is the first Christian woman in Pakistan to be sentenced to death for blasphemy.
Wednesday Pope Benedict XVI called on Pakistan to release Bibi.
Bibi was found guilty of committing blasphemy against her fellow farm workers in the village of Ittanwali during a heated discussion about religion in June last year.
Blasphemy is a capital offense under Pakistani law. Only three per cent of Pakistan's population of 167 million is estimated to be non-Muslim.
Anti-Christian sentiment runs high in Pakistan. There are reports of Muslim relief agencies discriminating against Christians while distributing aid to people affected by last summer's devastating floods.
According to reports and an investigation by the National Commission on the Status of Women, Aasia is the victim of a vendetta. A landlord is said to have framed the woman to settle scores.
Human rights violations are always wrong, regardless of religious faith. The blasphemy law is too easily exploited by Islamist extremists or those holding personal grudges. The blasphemy law in Pakistan, like any and all blasphemy laws, should be repealed.
Comments
Blasphemy laws are always wrong - without free speech a society is lost.
Religion sucks.
"Islamic extremists" Boy there are two words never mentioned together ...LOL
From cartoon's to Christians only 6 million more to go. For history to repeat. Religion Tear Down That Wall of Hate.
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